# Origin of repeating words for emphasis or clarification

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-repeating-words-for-emphasis-or-clarification/515228>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 26, 2009, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-repeating-words-for-emphasis-or-clarification/515228 "2009-10-26T21:54:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-repeating-words-for-emphasis-or-clarification/515228/21 "2009-10-27T15:23:35Z")

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It’s literally ancient.

From the Old Testament book of Isaiah: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD God Almighty.”

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-repeating-words-for-emphasis-or-clarification/515228/22 "2009-10-27T15:31:16Z")

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Missed the edit window, but here is the exact quote:

\*Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:  
“ **Holy, holy, holy** is the LORD Almighty;  
the whole earth is full of his glory.” \*

- Isaiah 6:2-3

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